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Neighbor's dog digging under the fence!

The people who live behind us have a dog (may be an older puppy, I'm not sure of the breed, it looks similar to a GSD) that started this past week digging holes under the fence that seperates our backyard from theirs. So far it hasn't dug far enough to come into our yard, but when I'm back there it hears me and sticks it's nose through the hole to watch me. I've had to put a board in front of one hole and a heavy pot in the other hoping to block the dog from coming through.

It seems to be a very nice dog. It doesn't growl or anything. Yesterday I looked over the fence to see what it actually looked like and it just sat there looking up at me as I talked to it (which I probably shouldn't have done since I don't want to encourage it even further to come in my yard). It was relaxed, wasn't jumping up or anything.

I really think it's just lonely and bored. It also barks a lot during the day while they are gone to work/school. Sunday when I was in the backyard I overheard the 2 boys that live there trying to get a leash on the dog, but they weren't able to. I guess they wanted to take it for a walk. I don't know how often they walk it, if at all.

I mentioned the issue to my husband yesterday when he got home from work and asked him to go over and talk to the people about it. He said he'd do it this weekend. I really wanted him to do it right then. I'm thinking about doing it myself when I see that they're home this afternoon. It wouldn't be a confrontational thing, just bringing it to their attention and asking them to do something to keep their dog from digging the holes.

So, I need some advice about how I should approach the issue with the people, what I might say. Is there any way I can make them realize that if they gave the dog more exercise through walks it might help keep it more calm, without actually accusing them of being neglectful pet owners/bad neighbors? I've never met them, btw. Also, I've seen Victoria Stillwell (It's Me or the Dog) "fix" the same issue for a family who had dogs digging under fences in their backyard and escaping. She had them get a large sandbox and put the dogs toys in it and showed the dog to dig in the box to hunt for the toys. It seemed to help, along with the walks.

Re: Neighbor's dog digging under the fence!

I take it you do not have a dog, so you are not worried that your dog if smaller may go on the other side.
With my experience with my dogs, they all went through a digging period, and got over it,they were all younger then one year old. So maybe it could be temporary.
What I did to keep cats from digging under a fence was to put some chicken type wire lay it flat on the ground and put some dirt on top to hold it in place. The cats did not like the feel of the wire on there paws so stopped digging. may help. I did this so they(the cats) could not get in the yard with my doberman that was waiting for them. If he is a nice dog you may adopt him if they do not take better care!

Re: Neighbor's dog digging under the fence!

i wouldnt suggest anything for them to do about the exercising but just bring to their attention that the dog is digging under the fence multiple holes and ask them to stop their dog from doing that. from what i've seen people that you confront about stuff like this typically dont care already , and they typically do not want to feel like they are being lectured by a neighbor about their pets (i know you arent, or dont want to but thats how it seems like they feel and it pisses them off real fast). I would be cautious about saying anything else until i knew them a little better or met them a few times first to prevent a bad first meeting.

Re: Neighbor's dog digging under the fence!

Originally Posted by BobSD

I take it you do not have a dog, so you are not worried that your dog if smaller may go on the other side.
With my experience with my dogs, they all went through a digging period, and got over it,they were all younger then one year old. So maybe it could be temporary.
What I did to keep cats from digging under a fence was to put some chicken type wire lay it flat on the ground and put some dirt on top to hold it in place. The cats did not like the feel of the wire on there paws so stopped digging. may help. I did this so they(the cats) could not get in the yard with my doberman that was waiting for them. If he is a nice dog you may adopt him if they do not take better care!

Hi Bob, we don't have a dog at the moment, but we will have in May. I'd like to get this behavior stopped before our puppy arrives.

Thanks for your response!

Originally Posted by rogueslg71

i wouldnt suggest anything for them to do about the exercising but just bring to their attention that the dog is digging under the fence multiple holes and ask them to stop their dog from doing that. from what i've seen people that you confront about stuff like this typically dont care already , and they typically do not want to feel like they are being lectured by a neighbor about their pets (i know you arent, or dont want to but thats how it seems like they feel and it pisses them off real fast). I would be cautious about saying anything else until i knew them a little better or met them a few times first to prevent a bad first meeting.

Yeah, I'm just going to walk over and introduce myself and chat with them about it. I'm a friendly person, have great relationships with my neighbors on my cul-de-saq, so I think I can manage to bring it up in a friendly way. I'm hoping they just aren't aware of the issue and are responsible people, and once I bring it to their attention they'll take care of it.